The Premier League, UK Department for International Trade and India On Track announce line-up for The Football Movement 2018

• Premier League legend Nemanja Vidić to attend the two-day conference
• Conference to discuss growth of football in India

Mumbai, Friday 16 February 2018: The third edition of The Football Movement is being held in Mumbai on the 22nd  and 23rd  of February 2018. The UK Department for International Trade (DIT) together with the Premier League and India On Track are bringing Premier League and Indian football clubs, sports organisations and businesses together to focus on ‘Commercial Sustainability and the Growth of Football in India’.

The two-day conference will feature keynote speakers including Premier League Managing

Director Richard Masters, Director General of UK Department for International Trade, India

& South Asia and representatives of the Indian Super League (ISL), Premier League clubs and the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Panel sessions, workshops and keynote speeches will provide  a  platform  for  UK  and  Indian  businesses  to  discuss  opportunities  and  issues  they currently  face  from  a  commercial  sustainability  perspective  and  the  road  ahead  for  each sector.

Once again, the Indian delegates will include key decision-makers from leading corporates, brands  and  the  football  industry  itself  –  clubs,  league  and  federation  representatives, broadcasters as well as officials of relevant government bodies. From the UK,  the Premier League will lead the delegation alongside representation from some clubs, as well as industry experts.

Former Manchester United player Nemanja Vidić will be a special guest at the event and will be speaking about his experiences playing in the Premier League.

On the third edition of the conference; British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India and Director General, Department for International Trade, India & South Asia Crispin Simon said: “I’m delighted to see the growing interest for football and for the Premier League among young  Indians.  The  Football  Movement  continues  to  drive  India-UK  football  collaboration forward. Indian football is going places, and the  UK  stands as a committed, dedicated and expert partner, with the technology, experience and enthusiasm to share India’s goals.

The theme of 'Commercial Sustainability' for this year's Football Movement conference will give a further push for UK businesses and their Indian partners to explore long term collaborations. The partnerships forged here will inspire and enable faster growth of football in India. We've seen how football can bring together communities.  It is this unifying aspect that is most exciting for the growth of the football ecosystem in India with the UK as its partner of choice. "

Richard Masters, Premier League Managing Director said: “The continued popularity of the ISL,  the  success of the recent  U17  FIFA World  Cup and  the millions of passionate  Premier League fans demonstrate the growing interest in football in India. We work extremely closely with  the  ISL,  AIFF  and  other  organisations to  support  the  development of  the  game  at  all levels. The Football Movement conference provides opportunity to discuss further ways to grow the sport. I have no doubt that this year’s event will see productive sessions that address how to maintain continued growth of the game both on and off the pitch.”

Nemanja Vidić said: “It is clearly an exciting time for football in India at the moment. As a professional footballer, I saw firsthand not just the passion for the Premier League but also how football can positively impact communities around the world. I am looking forward to bringing some of my own Premier League experiences to the Football Movement conference next week.”

Vivek Sethia, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, India On Track added: “We believe in ideas that can shape the ideal football community. The true potential lies in understanding that people who are passionate about the game are driving the community towards the sport of football, be it starting with football clubs or societies or the fans. The Football Movement will help us laydown strong foundations for an ecosystem that will build on the growth seen in football over the last few years.”

A  delegation  of  UK  businesses  and  top  British  football  clubs  are  participating  in  the conference. The delegation includes top corporates such as: Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP. Integer  Sport,  Sports  Grounds  Safety  Authority,  Pattern  Design  Ltd,  Jon  Tibbs  Associates, Textron, Blackstone Chambers, Sports Grounds Safety Authority, Populous, Grimshaw Global, Football for Peace Global. There will also be senior management from Southamption F.C. and Brighton & Hove Albion FC.

The Premier League trophy will be on display at the conference and delegates will have the opportunity to have their photograph taken next to the silverware.

The Football Movement is also part of the UK/India Year of Culture 2018 a major celebration of bilateral cultural exchange, jointly organized by the UK Government and Government of India.